The Labor enquirer., 1887-05-07

conviction that the happiness Of the ha
man race. aud especially Of the cIasses
without capital, would be benefitted
thereby. ."-Chambers' Encyclopedias
AZ. win you point out any one of the
following demands which is not Social
isticf
The alarming development and aggressive
ness OF great capitalists and corporations, un-
less checked. will Inevitably lead 70 the
pauperization and hopeless degradation Of
the toiling masses.
II is imperative, IL we desire to enjoy the
full blessings OF life, that check be placed
upon unjust accumulation. and the power for
evil OF aggregated wealth.
This much-desired object can be accom-
plished only by the united efforts Of those
who obey the divine Injunction, "In the
sweat OF thy face shalt thou eat bread"
Therefore we have formed the Order Of
Knights OF Labor. for the purpose OF organis-
Ing and directing the power OF the industrial
masses. not al3a political party. for it Ii more
lin 1t are crystalized sentiments and meas
ures for the benefit OF the whole people, but
II should be borne In mind. when exercising
the right OF suffrage. that most OF the objects
herein set forth can only be obtained through
legislation. and that 1t Is the duty Of all 70 ~
sist in nominating and supporting with their
votes only such candidates "a will pledge
their support TO those measures, regardless OF
party. But no one shall. however. be COM
PEELED 70 vote with the majority, and calling
upon all who believe I'm securing "the greatest
good TO the greatest number" TO Join and as
sist US, we declare to the world that our aims
are:
l. TO make industrial and moral worth, not
wealth, the true standard OF Individual and
National greatness.
III. To secure to the workers the full enjoy
ment OF the wealth they create, sufficient
leisure In which TO develop tneir Intellectual,
moral and social faculties: all Of the benefits,
recreation and pleasI,, @;s OF association; In
word. 70 enable them to share In the gains
and honors OF advancing civilization.
In order to secure these results, we demand
| OF the STATE: .L...
III. The establishments OF Bureaus * labor
Statistics. that We may arT,ss at q correct
knowledge OF the educational, moral and d.
nsncial condition Of the laboring masses.
w. That the public lands, the heritage Of
the people, be reserved for actual settlers; not
another acre for railroads or speculators, and
that all lands now held for speculative pur-
poses be taxed 70 their full value.
v. The abrogation OF all laws that do not
bear equally upon capital and labor. and the
removal OF unjust technicalities. delays and
determinations In the administration OF
Justice.
| vi. The adoption OF measures providing
| for the health and safety Of those engaged in
mining. manufacturing and building indus
tries, and for rindemnifcation TO those engaged
therein for injuries received through lack OF
necessary safeguards.
| VII The recognition by incorporation, OF
trades. unions, orders, and such other associa-
tions as may be organized by the working
masses TO improve their condition and pro-
tect their rights.
| VIII. The enactment Of laws to compel
corporations TO pay their employees weekly.
In lawful money, for the labor Of the preced-
Ing week, and giving mechanics and labOrers
a first lien upon the product OF their labor to
the extent OF their full wages.
TX. The abolition Of the contract system on
National, State and Municipal works.
x. The enactment OF laws providing for ar
bitration between employers and employed,
and 10 enforce the decision OF the arbitratOrs.
XII. The prohibition by law Of the employ
ment of children under Is years Of age In
/ workshops, mines and factories.
XII. To prohibit tho hiring out Of convict
labor.
XIII. That a graduated income tax be
levieo. II
And we demand at the hands OF CONGRESS:
| XIV. The establishment of q National mour
etary system, in which circulating medium
in necessary quantity shall issue direct to the
people. without the Intervention OF banks;
that all the National issue shall be full legal
tender in payment OF all debts, public and
private; and that the Government shall moi
guarantee or recognize any private banks, Of
create any banking corporations.
| XIV. That interest bearing bonds, bills ol
credit or notes shall never be issued by the
Government, but that. when need arises. the
emergency shall be met by issue of legal ten
der, non-interest- bearing money. N
XVI. That the Importation Of foreign labor
under contract be prohibited.
XVII. That, in connection with the post
office, the Government shall organize fnan
cial exchanges, safe deposits and facilities fol
deposit of the savings OF the people in small
sums.
XVIII. That the Government shall obtain
possession, by purchase, under the rights O
eminent domain. OF all telegraphs, telephones
and railroads. and that hereafter no charter
or license be issued to any corporation fOr
construction or operation OF any means OF
transporting intelligence, passengers OF
freight.
And while making the foregoing demands
upon the State and National Government, we
will endeavor to associate our own labors:
XIX. To establish cooperative institutions
such as will tend to supercede the wage sys
tenn, by the Introduction OF q cooperative In.
dustrial system.
Xxx. To secure for both sexes equal pay Tor
equal work.
XXI. To shorten the hours Of labor by q
general refusal TO work for more than eight
hours.
XXI. To pursuade employers TO agree to
arbitrate all differences which may arise be-
tween them and their employees. In order
that the bonds Of sympathy between them
may be strengthened and that strikes may be
rendered unnecessary I'D
49, Did you not advise the workers to
distrust as a traitor any 'leaderr Of labor
praised by the capitalist presss If SO
why have you changed your ideas since
they began to praise your
A. If you are opposed to the strike
and the boycott and the Independent La
Dor party WHAT is your remedy for the
wrongs of labor?
As, Have you not taught your igno-
rant followers that compulsory arbitra-